In Queensland, Australia, a recent look into medical records of people who had their first psychotic episode showed something interesting. Before they were referred to early psychosis services, only a small number of these individuals were prescribed stimulants or medicinal cannabis. But after their
Brazil's gold mining history has left a messy mark. Mercury, used to extract gold, has polluted the environment in ways that are hard to undo. This isn't just a problem for nature; it's a health risk for people too. Mercury gets into the environment in three main ways. First, new mercury is added d
Belarus has taken a significant step by freeing 123 individuals, including notable opposition figures Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. This move comes after discussions in Minsk with the US special envoy, John Coale, representing President Donald Trump. The US has re
Dementia care is going through a big change. Doctors can now tell patients exactly what is causing their memory problems. This is a huge deal because before, it was hard to know for sure. Now, with new tests, doctors can see what is happening in the brain and tell patients if they have Alzheimer's o
In a surprising turn of events, scientists have found a new type of tiny worm in Utah's Great Salt Lake. This worm, named Diplolaimelloides woaabi, is not like any other worm found in the world. It's part of a group of worms usually found in salty places like oceans, but this one is different. The
In the coming year, three families are bracing for a tough financial hit due to rising health care costs. The end of COVID-era subsidies is forcing them to make tough choices. In Wisconsin, a couple who once enjoyed comprehensive health coverage is now facing a stark reality. Chad and Kelley Bruns,
In the United States, people with a condition called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) often take medicines to help manage their symptoms. Two types of drugs commonly used are oral corticosteroids (OCSs) and nonsteroidal immunosuppressant therapies (NSISTs). These drugs can have serious side effec
The Washington Post has launched a new AI-powered podcast called "Your Personal Podcast. " This podcast is unique because it tailors content to each listener based on their reading history. Users can also adjust the topics covered and even change the AI-generated hosts. The podcast has sparked deba
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm problem. It shows up in 10-20% of people who get coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This condition can make recovery from surgery harder and riskier. Doctors have a way to fix it during surgery. It's called surgical ablation (SA). Many studies s
Deep down in the ocean, there are underwater mountains called seamounts. They are special places where lots of different tiny organisms, called microbes, live. These microbes are important because they help keep the ocean healthy and full of life. But, they face threats from human activities like fi
